MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE

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Public Documents of Maine:

011' TBB VARIOUS

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND INSTITUTIONS

FOR THE ¥"EAR

1878~

VOLUME [I ..

AUGUSTA; SPRAGUE, OWEN & NASH, •PRIN~ERS IOO THE STAH.

18 7 Seo

TENTH ANNUAL REPORT

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME,

A.T

BATH, ME.

1877.

___ .... ._. __ _

AUGUSTA: SPRAGUE, OWEN & NASH, PRINTERS TO THE STATE.

1878.

OFFICERS.

PRESIDENT:

J. T. PATTEN. SECRETARY: TREASURER:

G. E. MORSE, M. F. GANNETT.

TRUSTEES:

JAMES T. PATTEN, HOWARD P. WIGGIN, M. F. GANNETT, NELSON HOWARD, IRA D. STURGIS, CHARLES T. GILMAN,

JOSEPH W. SPAULDING.

LADY MANAGERS:

MRs. J. T. PATTEN, MRS. WM. ]!'. MOSES, T. G. STOCKBRIDGE,

" B. C. SEWALL, " JOHN SHAW,

Miss VICTORIA MANSON.

G. C. GOSS, J. D. ROBINSON, M. F. GANNETT,

TRUSTEES' .REPORT.

'lb Ms Excellency the Governor of JJ:[aine

and the Honorable Council:

The Trustees of the Bath Military and Na val Orphan Asylum, as required, respectfully submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1877.

The beneficence of the State through this institution has continued to fall upon the children of those who willingly gave their lives to their country.

The accompanying report of the Lady Managers sets forth the internal condition of the family, as it bas progressed through the year, and its present state ; giving in detail in-· formation respecting the children that have been during the year, or any part of it, beneficiaries of the asylum; it is re-­spectfully commended to your consideration.

By reference to the Treasurer's account, a brief synopsis of which is here stated, to wit:

Balance from last year ..................... . Received for interest coupons ............... .

'' calf sold ...................... . Received the State appropriation .......... 8,500

of which $500 was special for construction of cistern or reservoir, and is deducted here and placed to account of ''appropriation for reservoir". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . 500

leaving the sum of eight thousand dollars for

$903 37 520 00·

1 001

8,000 00'

general expenditure, showing total receipts .. $9,424 37.

4 MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The expenditure has been, as appears by the account in detail and vouchers, the sum of ................ $9,284 11

leaving a balance in hands of the treasurer of.. 140 26

$9,424 37

It appears that the receipts for general purposes of the institution have but little more than met the payments of the current year, while the unpaid bills amount to more than the balance will pay.

Upon the representations of the trustees, in their last annual report, in relation to the need of the Asylum of a permanent supply of water, the Legislature made an appro­priation of five hundred dollars to be expended for cisterns or a reservoir. The trustees, in order to avail themselves of this appropriation, sought to contract for the construction of a reservoir, but found they could not obtain a contract for such as would meet the need for the sum appropriated ; they accordingly set about making some improvement upon the cisterns connected with the house, so as to gather and store as much water as could be conducted from the house roofs, and the copious rains of the autumn have met the present re­quirements for laundry purposes ; but this is temporary ; in connection with this it is needful that provision be made for water for cooking and drinking uses ; at present the house 'is dependent upon neighbors, who permit when they have a full supply, the use of their wells; this resource, however, is very precarious, and in time of drought is cut off.

In consideration of the foregoing, the trustees having con­;sidered the subjects with. deliberation and discussion, are unanimous in opinion that the sum of ten thousand dollars, for general expenditure, and a further sum of two hundred .and fifty dollars, additional to the former appropriation for a reservoir, are required for the wants of the asylum for the -current year, and they have directed the president of. their .board to make application to the Legislature accordingly.

JAMES T. PATTEN, President. BATH, January 5, 1878.

LADY MANAGERS' REPORT.

To the Trustee.,; :

GENTLEMEN :-At the commencement of the year now closing, the number of children in the family was sixty-nine. During the year twelve have been admitted, making the whole number in the family at any time eighty-one. Of these seventeen have been removed in various ways, as follows : Eight have been placed in families, which are, we believe, good and suitable homes for them ; particulars in regard to these are appended to this report; five, at the request of their mothers, have been restored to them; three have died, and one has been placed in the General Hospital in Portland; and as this arrangement was made without any consultation with the Managers of the Home, the institution is relieved of any responsibility in regard to it.

There has been no prevailing disease in the family during the year. There were a few cases of whooping cough last 'Yinter, and in the course of the year a few mild cases of scarletina. There have been three deaths in the family this year-Jere. Connor, aged four years, died of croup, April 15th; Everett I. Page, aged fifteen months, died of disease of the bowels, July 31st; and Georgiana Lee Butler, aged six years, died of typhoid fever, October 22d.

The death of Dr. Payne, which occurred in the month of March, deprived the Home of a faithful officer, a skilfull and indefatigable physician, and one of its warmest and most judicious friends. The physician who has succeeded him in charge, has been most assiduous and untiring in his attend­ance upon the family, and among so many children scarcely a day passes when his care is not required. '

6 MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

The children of the Home, still, as in former years, attend the public schools, and are making progress. We have one in the High school, eight in the Grammar schools, and the remainder are passing through the various grades of the Pri­mary department. We believe that it is better for them thus to mingle with others in s<:hool,-that little world in which children so largely live,-as it tends in some measure to iden­tify them in their interests and pursuits with their future fel­low-citizens, and to prevent that feeling of isolation which might be developed by always regarding themselves as insti­tution children. Besides, by attending the public schools, they have all the advantages of a thoroughly organized system of instruction, competent teachers, and the most approved text-books, without expense to the State.

At home the girls are taught housework and sewing, as far as is compatible with punctual attendance at school, which is always insisted on. The lighter work of the house, as sweep­ing, dusting, laying and clearing tables, dressing and un­dressing the little ones, &c., is distributed among those capable of doing it. All who are old enough make their own beds. The girls gradually become skillful in sewing, and at the age of twelve or fourteen years they are able to do plain sewing, , mending and stocking darning, respectably. A few of the older girls can run the sewing machine. One of oldest, now fifteen, has spent six months with a dress-maker, learning the art, and is now employed at sma.11 wages in one of the best establishments in the city.

The children come together in the family room, with the Matron, and often, the Assistant Matron as well, to hear music, to sing, to listen to reading, to talk and to play games. They are sent forth in the morning to the duties of the day, and gathered to their beds at night with a verse from the Holy 'Word, a simple song, and the Divine prayer. We have thus given to the friends of the institution as good an idea as we can, of its school life and home life. On the Sabbath, all who are old enough, attend church and Sabbath school, always accompanied by one of the resident officen.

LADY MANAGERS' REPORT. 7

Their home was with the Central church until October of the present year, when it seemed expedient to relieve that society of the burden that it had so long cheerfully borne, and ar­rangements were made with the prudential committee of the Wesley church (Methodist) to admit the children of the Home to the privileges of their church and Sabbath school.

The year now closing has been to the Managers full of labor, anxieties and trials, and not less so to those more immediately connected with the care of the family. Particu­lars in regard to these events as they passed, have been given to you, gentlemen, in our quarterly reports, and need not be here repeated. One anxiety has been to fill worthily the important offices of Matron and Assistant Matron, and in both cases we venture to congratulate ourselves that we are at last successful. In securing the services of Mrs. Hall, we have obtained a mother for the children, and have nothing more to ask. Under her influence everything is moving harmoniously ; the children are happy, and making progress in right ways ; good qualities are developed in the sunshine of love, and evil ones firmly repressed, till they can be loosened in the soil, and finally eradicated.

With this brief statement, gentlemen, which communicates far less than the resident members of your Board know from personal observation, we submit the work of the closing year to your criticism and judgment.

In behalf of the Lady Managers,

SARAH B. GANNETT, President.

NAMES OF CHILDREN WHO HA VE BEEN IN THE

HOME ANY PART OF THE YEAR.

N . .nrn. Residence.

Abby Brann ........ Chelsea ...... 21 Reuben F. Sawyer .. · I Bath ........ 13 Horace Cromwell .. .. West port ..... 14 William Hayes ....•• Portland ..... 12 Wm. Edgar Young ... Gouldsboro' .. 11 Alfred B. Linscott ... Palermo ..... 16 Anson Lee Linscott . . Palermo ..... 12

Oscar Russell.. . . . . . . Topsham ..... 14

REM.ARKS,

Chlld of Robert Brann, 11th Regt. Me. Vols. Child of Reuben Sawyer, 3d Regt. Me. Vols. Child of S. R. Cromwell, 1st Artillery. Child of------. Child of A. Young, 28th Regt. Me. Vols. t Children of O. H. Linscott, 1st Regt. Me. 5 Vols. Child of James S. Cole, 31st Regt. Me. Vols. Ella Cole . . . . . . . . . . . Houlton ......

1

17

Charles E. Ham . . . . . Ponland ..... , 12 Child of John H. Ham, 5th Regt. Me. Vols. Oscar T. Prescott . . . • Plymouth ... , 115 Child of C. M. Prescott, 11th Regt. Me. Vols. Mary W. Crocker .... Bath ........

1

,16 Child of-------. Effie M. Trask ....... Fayette ...... 14 Child of James Trask, 11th Regt. Me. Vols. Mary Flagg .....•... .Rockland ... ,114 Child of Micah Flagg, l\Jth Regt. Me. Vols. Fred. Leathers ...... Brooks ....... '12 t Children of S. S. Leathers, 4th Regt. Me. Emma Leathers . . . . . Brooks ....... ·110 5 Vols. Frank Cunningham .. Stetson ...... ,17 Uh.ild of John L. Cunningham, 4th R. Me. V, Bertha Webber ...... Readfield ... · 1'15 Child of W. H. Webber, 3d Regt. l\le. Vols. R~ssell A. Newton ...

1

. Peru ......... 11. t Children of S. Newton, 16th Regt. Me. Wmfield P. Newton .. Peru ......... 9 5 Vols. Harry True ......... Yarmouth ....• ·10 t Children of W. H. True, 5th Regiment Me. Leslie '£rue . . . . . . . . . Yarmouth . . . . 8 5 Vols. William L. Townsend, Portland . . . . . 9 Child of Walter Townsend, 30th R. Me. V. Angeline Cooledge ... Chesterville ... 10 ~ Maria Cooledge ...... Chesterville .. · I 8 Children of J. S. Cooledge, 12th R. Me. V. Albert Cooledge .••.. Chesterville... 7 John Jacobs..... . . . . Lewiston ..... 11 ~ Children of John Jacobs, served in U. S. Fred. Jacobs .....•.. Lewiston ..... 9 5 Navy. George B. Stevens . . . Augusta . . . • . 9 Child of C. M. Stevens, 3d Artillery. Fred. C. West . .. . . . . Searsport .... 11 Child of Joseph West, 14th Regt. Me. Vols. Agnes Wakely . . . . . . Rockland .•.. 10

5 James Wakely ...... .Rockland .... 8 Children of J. Wakely, 4th Regt. Me. Vols. Jane Wakely. . . . . . • . Rockland . . . . 6 Georgiana L. Butler .. Forest City . . . 6 ~ Children of J. S. Butler, 11th ltegt. Me, Fred. T. Butler ...... Forest City... 5 5 Vols. James Blake ....•... Augusta ..... 10 Child of J. Blake, 5th Regt. Me. Vols. Effie M. Crocker . . . . . Farmington . . 6 Child of A. Crocker, 16th Regt. Me. Vols. Augusta Bancroft .... Dixfield ...•.. 13 Child of D. Bancroft. He d. in rebel prison. Frank H. Gilcrease . . Dixfield . . • • . 8 r Children of B. F. Gilcrease, 1st Mass. Cav., Guy I. Gilcrease. . . • . Dixfield . . • . . 6 Co. I. Was living in Boston when he en­Walter Gilcrease. .. .. Dixfield . .. .. 4 listed. Died in Dixfield, Me. Myron P. Butters .... Lewiston .••.. 10 ~ Father, Rinaldo Butters, 15th Regt. Died Fred. Butters . . . • . . . Lewiston..... 8 5 of consumption contracted in the army. James F. Robbins ... Biddeford.... 9 Child of A. F. Robbins, 6th Reg't Me. Vols. Herbert E. Page. . • . • Chelsea ...... 11 } . Lottie M. Page ...... Chelsea ...... 9 Reuben F. Page .•... Chelsea . . . . . . 7 Children of Isaac L. Page, 19th R. Me. V. Harry E. Page . . . . . . Chelsea . . . . . . 4 Everett I. Page . • . . . Chelsea . . • . • . l Ida Pullen . . . . . • . . . • Liberty . . • • . . 7 ~ Children of A. W. Pullen, 9th Regt. Me. William Pullen ..•••• Liberty •.•••• 5 S Vols.

NAMES OF CHILDREN.

NAMES OF CHILDREN IN THE Hol\rn-Concluded.

Herbert Woodward ... Ethd M. Woodward .. Johnson Brady ..... . Anna Bra<ly ....... .. William Brady .... .. Mary A. Stewart ... . Francis M. Stewart .. Lula R. Moore ...... . Hattie A Moore ..... . Alice B. Trott ....•.. Winnefred T. Trott .. Anna P. Trott ....•.. .Albertina 0. Trott ... Henry Furest ...••... John E. C<,lley ..... . Mabel Fletcher ..... . John Fletcher ...... . Howard P,ige ....... . Abby L. Reynolds .. . Horace K:iherl ..... . William H. Day .... . Caroline Day ....... . Nellie D,ty ........ .. Lucinda Day ....... . Minnie B. Farwell .. . William H. F,trwell.. Charles Connor ..•... Jere Connor ........ . James .McCormick .. . Alcxa11der McCormick Jane RPynulds ..... . Thomas J. Clark .... .

Residence. R~:MARKS.

Brunswick . . . ~ Children of W. H. Woodward, 17th Regt. Brunswick ... 4 5 Me. Vols. Lewiston . . . . . 9 ~ Lewbton . . . . . (i Children of --- Brady, 17th R. Me. V. Lewiston ••... 4 Houlton.. • . . . 8 ~ Children of R. Stewart, 20th Regt. Me. .Houlton ....•. 10 5 Vols. Bath •....... 1;1 ~ Children of T. T. Moore, 21st Cavalry, Bath ........ ll 5 Co. C. Woolwich , ... 1:1 } Woolwich .... 14 t Children of James Trott, 3d Regiment Me. Woolwich .... 8 ( Vols. Woolwich • . . . J Hallowell . . . . 9 Child of Wm. Forest, 19th Regt. Me. Vols. Portland ..... 11 Child :if C. H. Colley, 1st Me. Cavalry. Farmington .. l :.! ~ Children of Daniel Fletcher, 13th Regt. Farmington . . 9 5 N. IL Vols. Dennysville .. 11 Child of David Page, 1st Artillery. Burnham .... lU Child of--- --- ---. Bdgrade..... 9 Child of Wm. 0. Kaherl, 12th Regt. Me. V. N .Monmouth, I N. Monmouth, l, Children of W. H. Day. N. Monmouth, N. Monmouth, J Augusta . . . . . ~i ~ Children of Hannibal Farwell, 2d Me. Cav., Augusta . . . . . ;> 5 Co. A. Lewi~tun. . . . . 5 ~ Children of E. Connor, 1st Maine Lewi~ton..... 4 5 Battery. Rockland 7 ~ Children of "\Villiam McCormick, lith Regt. Rockland .... 4 5 .Mc. Vols. Burnham .... L3 Augusta . . . . . 8 i Child of Foster A. Clark. He served in U.

5 S. Navy, steamer Brooklyn.

CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THE HOME DURING

THE YEAR.

NAMES. DISPOSITION OF THEM.

John Edward C(llley .......... In the family of Asahel W. Hamlin, Bowdoin. Walter Gilcrease . . . . . . . . . . . . Returned to his ri\other. James Wakely ......•.....•. In the family of Elias II. Walker, Wiscass"f Fred. C. West, . ... .. .. . .. .. . . Returned to his mother. Angdine Cookdge........... In the family <,f' Harvey Maxcy, Thomaston. William L. Townsend ......•. In the family 'lf David Dutton, Sidney, Me. Le~lie True . . . • . . . • . • • • . • • . . Returned to his mother. Mary W. lJro<'ker ............ Returned. to her friends. O,car T. Prescott • • • • • • • . • . . . Returned to his mother. Ella Cole . . . . . . . . • . . • . • • .. • . In the family of F. E. Upton, Bath. Alfred B. Linscott........... In the family of E. H. Wood, Winslow, Me. William Hayes . . . . • . . . . . . . . . In the family of Mrs. Sarah Jonel'.'t, South Durham. Abby Brann........ • . • • . . . . Has a home with a relative, J. F. Chase, Deep l{iv., Conn o~car Russell.... . . . . • . . . . . • . Placed in the Maine Gen'l Hospital by Mrs. Sampson. Jere Connor ................. Died April 15th. Everett I. Page . . . . . . • • • . . . . Died July a 1st. Georgiana L. Butler • . . . . . . . . Died October 22d.

DONATIONS.

Through the kindness of the several publishers the follow­

ing periodicals have been received gratuitously at the Home

during the year:

Farmington Chronicle, Dexter Gazette, Gospel Banner,

1Vaterville Mail, Portland Transcript, Bath Daily Times,

Rockland Gazette, Lewiston Journal, Arthur's Magazine,

Christian Mirror, Portland Press, Bath Commercial.

RECEIVED AT THE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL, JAN. 1, 1877.

Box of boots and shoes from Melcher and Brown. "'

Box of games and toys from J. 0. Shaw.

Several pairs of gloves from H. E. Palmer.

Ornaments for the tree from H. Bovey.

ACT OF INCORPORATION. 11

ACT OF INCORPORATION.

An act to incorporate the Bath Military and Na val Orphan Asylum.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled, as follows:

SECTION 1. John Patten, George F. Patten, Charles Davenport, Oliver Moses and J. P. Morse, their associates, successors and assigns, are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the Trustees of Bath :Military and Na val Orphan Asylum, for the purpose of rearing and educating gratuitously, in the common branches of learning and ordinary industrial pursuits, the orphans nnd half orphans of officers, soldiers, seamen and marines who have entered the service of the government from Maine during the war for the suppression of the rebellion, and have died while in said service, or subsequently from wounds received, or injuries or disease contracted while in said service; and shall have all the powers and be subject to all the duties and liabilities of like corporations in this state.

SECT. 2. If the aforesaid corporators shall within two years raise the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and shall exhibit satisfactory evidence to the governor and council that the same is duly and permanently secured for the purposes named in this act, then the governor shall be authorized to draw his warrant on the state treasurer for the sum of six hundred dollars, annually, in favor of said corporation, to be by them applied in manner satisfactory to the executive, to carry out the objects herein named.

SECT. 3. Of the twenty thousand dollars to be raised by these corporators, not less than one-fourth part thereof shall be judiciously invested in productive and improved real estate, consisting of not less than twenty-five acres of land,

12 MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM. ·

with dwelling house and customary out-buildings, for tho occupancy of said orphans and those having charge of them, and fifteen hundred dollars, at least, of said subscription shall be prudently invested in stock, farming ~1tensils, and other personal property necessary for the profitable cultivation of said land, which investment shall be made prior to the reception of the donation from the state herein provided.

SECT. 4. There shall Le chosen, annually, for the govern­ment of said asylum seven trustees from the members of said corporation, four of ·whom shall be selected by the governor and council.

SECT. 5. The trustees shall elect annually, one of their number to be president of the board. They shall appoint a clerk and treasnrer, both of whom sBall he sworn, and shall hold th,Jir offices at the pleasure of the trustees. The clerk shall record all proceedings of the board, and copies of their records certified hy him shall be evidence in all cases in which the originals might be used. The treasurer shall be required to give suitable bond, and to renew the same whenever the trustees shall require.

SECT. 6. Upon the final execution of the purposes herein specified as the object of this incorporation, viz : the support and education of the orphans and half orphans of persons engaged in the service of the United States during the recent rebellion, said asylum shall continue the exercise of its corpo­rate powers as an institution for the education and support of such orphans and half orphans of this state as the trustees under the direction of the legislature, may deem eligible to admission therein.

[ Approved February 23, 1866.J

BY-LAWS OF TRUSTEES. 13

BY-LA ws OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OF THE

BATH MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

ARTICLE I. The Board of Trustees shall meet on the second Monday in May for the purpose of organization. Stated meetings of the Board shall occur quarterly on the first Monday in January, April, July and October, at three o'clock P. M. Special meetings may be called by the President, or in his absence by the Secretary at the ·written request of three members, and at all meetings three members shall constitute a quorum. The officers shall be a Presidu1t, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee of Finance.

ART. II. At each quarterly meeting or oftener, the Lady Managers shall make a report or statement to the Trustees in reference to the Asylum, and such action may be taken there­on as seems best.

ART. III. The Treasurer shall have charge of all moneys collected for the Association, pay orders drawn upon him under a resolution of the Board, or by the Committee of Fhiance. He shall give a bond which shall be satisfactory to the Trustees, shall invest or hold all funds under their direction, shall keep an accurate account of his receipts and payments in a book for that purpose, which shall be open to the inspection of the Trustees, and shall make an annual report to them, and also to the Association at their annual meeting.

ART. IV. The Secretary shall keep a record of the pro­ceedings of the Board of Trustees, and report the same at its meetings. He shall give notice in writing of all stated and special meetings of the Board.

ART. V. No alteration in these By-Laws shall be made, unless notice be given at a previous meeting of such alter­ation.

14 MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

BY-LAWS OF THE

BATH MILITARY AND NAVAL ORPHAN ASYLUM.

ARTICLE I. This Association shall be called the Bath Military and Naval Orphan Asylum, the objects and designs of which are to afford a home, food, clothing and education for destitute orphan children of soldiers, sailors and marines in the late war of the rebellion, to put them in the way of learning some useful trade or occupation, or otherwise pro­vide for them till they have attained a suitable age to take care of themselves.

ART. II. Any person may become a member of this Association during its pleasure by a vote thereof, and on the payment of twenty-five dollars any one shall become a mem­ber for life.

ART. III. This Association shall meet annually on the first Monday in May, public notice of which shall be given at least three days in one or more daily newspapers, at which meeting there shall be elected three gentlemen as Trustees, and ten ladies as managers of the Asylum, who shall re­spectively hold their office until others are chosen to fill their place. The officers of the Board of Trustees shall be officers of the Association, and the President shall preside at its meetings. Seven members shall constitute a quorum.

ART. IV. Special meetings of the Association shall be held at the request in writing of five members, to be called by the President, or in his absence by the Secretary, in the same manner as the annual meeting.

ART. V. The Board of Trustees shall consist of seven gentlemen, four appointed by the Governor, and three to be chosen by the Association at their annual meeting in May. They shall choose their own officers, fill vacancies that occur in their Board during the remainder of the year, and make

BY-LAWS OF THE ASYLUM. 15

all needful by-laws and regulations, and three members shall constitute a quorum.

ART. VI. The Board of Trustees shall have the control and management of all real estate, investments, personal securities and other funds belonging to the Association, and shall exercise a general supervision over the Asylum, and do all which its best interests in their judgment require, and report their doings in detail to the Association at its annual meeting.

ART. VII. The Lady Managers shall make a written report or verbal statement of their transactions from time to time, to the Board of Trustees as often as they may be deemed necessary, and make_ and receive suggestions as the interests of the Institution may require.

ART. VIII. These by-laws shall not be altered or amended, except at an annual or special meeting of the Association, at which not less than ten members shall be present.

STATE OF MAINE.

IN CouNctL, January 29, 1878.

One thousand copies ordered to be printed, together with the charter and by-la.ws, and report of Lady l\lanagers.

Attest: S. J. CHADBOURNE, Secretary of Stale.